Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has hit back at Donald Trump after the US President claimed it is "much better for Canada" to become America's 51st state.
Hitting back at the US leader, Carney affirmed that there are some places that are "never for sale", comparing his nation to Buckingham Palace and the White House - where the tense interaction took place.
As the two leaders sat down for talks in Washington, Trump claimed that the move would be "great for Canadians" and offer residents "huge tax cuts".
Asked by the press if Trump would still consider making Canada the 51st state of America, Trump quipped that he "still believes" in the deal, but it takes "two to tango".
Donald Trump and Mark Carney met for talks in the White House
Reuters
Trump told reporters: "I still believe it, but it takes two to tango right? I believe it would be a massive tax cut for the Canadian citizens, free military, tremendous medical care and other things.
"There would be a lot of advantages, and there would be a massive tax cut."
Noting his past as a "real estate developer", Trump told the press that there is an "artificially drawn line" between the countries, and it would be a "beautiful formation" when joined together.
The President said: "I'm a real estate developer at heart - when you get rid of that artificially drawn line, somebody drew that line many years ago with a ruler - a straight line right across the top of the country.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Trump told the press that it takes 'two to tango' on a US-Canada deal
Reuters
"When you look at that beautiful formation when it's together - I'm a very artistic person - I said that's the way it's meant to be. I do feel it's much better for Canada, but we won't be discussing that unless somebody wants to discuss it."
In a pointed remark to Carney, Trump stated that America is "protecting Canada" from any threats or problems they face.
Addressing the new Canadian premier directly, Trump claimed: "There's tremendous benefits to the Canadian citizens, tremendously lower taxes, free military - which honestly we give you essentially anyway, because we're protecting Canada if you ever had a problem. But I think it would really be a wonderful marriage because it's it's two places they get along very well."
Hitting back at Trump, Carney made clear that Canada is "not for sale", citing Trump's own remarks about being into "real estate".
Carney affirmed that Canada is 'not for sale' and will 'never be for sale'
Reuters
Carney stated: "As you know from real estate, there are some places that are never for sale. We're sitting in one right now.
"Buckingham Palace that you visited as well, and having met with the owners of Canada over the course of the campaign over the last several months, it's not for sale. It won't be for sale, ever."
However, remaining optimistic for the future relationship between US and Canada, Carney told Trump: "But the opportunity is in the partnership and what we can build together, and we have done that in the past.
"And part of that, as the President just said, is with respect to our own security, and my government is committed for a step change in our investment in Canadian security and our partnership. And I'll say this as well, that the President has revitalised international security, revitalised Nato, and playing our full weight in Nato."
